Ugh, this discussion's never pretty...
Anyway, I agree with you. I don't necessarily think it's racist, but it's definitely something that says a lot about a person. To me it comes off as extremely narrow-minded. I couldn't imagine writing off an entire race of people as unattractive and actually meaning it. It's not even worth saying, especially since 9 times out of 10 these guys have exceptions to their standards...which makes you question why they bothered leading off with such a negative in the first place.
What bugs me is when I get messages from guys who have "Not into blacks...sorry! Just a preference. Deal with it!" in their profiles, and I respond with, "Oh...thought you weren't into black guys?"
"Well, I can make an exception for you. You're hot. lol"
"Oh, well I'm am absolutely honored and humbled that you could see beyond your superior European standards to appreciate a meager black beauty such as myself. You validate me...*Block*"
Ugh...gross.